Goose decoy



Nov. 12, 1957 P.H.JONES GOOSE DECOY Filed March 18, 1954 nited States 2,812,608 Patented Nov. 12, 1957 ice GOOSE DECOY Phillip H. Jones, Omaha, Nebr.

Application March 18, 1954, Serial No. 417,022

Claims. (Cl. 43-3) This invention relates to goose decoys and more particularly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved collapsible goose decoy.

It is an object of this invention to provide a goose decoy having a very realistic shape as seen from the air and for this reason to provide it with upper body portions of realistic convex curvature and preferably tapering rearwardly to tail end portions of concave curvature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a goose decoy achieving this appearance with a minimum of costly construction and for this reason having an open bottom.

A particular object of the invention is to provide the shape described with the use of an inexpensive wire frame, the frame folding into a substantially flat shape for the convenience of carrying many decoys under the arm of the hunter.

Yet another object is to provide a goose decoy which can be quickly and easily opened into shape for' use, this being made possible through the use of a transverse member adapted to be pivoted into use position conveniently and easily by pressing it into place with the hand extended through the open bottom of the decoy.

A further object is to provide a goose decoy having two leg members adapted to be stuck into the ground to provide the goose decoy with great stability in the wind.

A further object of the invention is to provide a silhouette shaped head portion in a goose decoy, rather than a three-dimensional head portion, in this way achieving economy and without loss of effectiveness inasmuch as geese flying in from a great height cannot see a head clearly against the background of'the body, except when they are coming in from the side, and from the side, the two-dimensional head looks sufficiently realistic. In addition to economy, the flat silhouette head is a compromise with realism to achieve a flatter, more compact unit when collapsed. j

A particular object is to provide a goose decoy whereby there are no loose parts to become lost, as the parts of which are all connected together.

Yet a further object is to provide a goose decoy of wire frame construction covered with cloth, the construction being such that the outer cover is pulled tight- 1y against the frame member when the decoy is opened whereby the cover, being taut, adds to the rigidity of the construction. a

Another object of my invention is to achieve the desired shape and thedesiredcollapsibility through the use of the principle of a plurality of longitudinally extending members, the upper ones of which are pivotally secured at the front and tail ends for collapsibility and also through the use of a single transverse member pivotally attached to opposite sides of a horizontally disposed longitudinal member.

Yet another object is to provide a construction in which the transverse member springs intoplace and is held in place by a means of cooperating bends forming in effect notches in the wire of the longitudinal and transverse members, and thereby giving rigidity to the frame in and of itself entirely apart from that which is supplied by the fabric cover.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims the scope of the invention not being limited to the drawings themselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a way in which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the goose decoy of this invention shown with the major portion of its cover removed to illustrate the construction of the frame.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a decoy shown in a collapsed position with all parts lying in approximately a horizontal plane.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the goose decoy from the side and with the cover in place for illustrating its appearance when in use.

Figure 4 is a modified form of a transverse frame member, partially shown with an adjacent portion of a longitudinal frame member.

The goose decoy of this invention comprises a first horizontal member 10 which latter has two longitudinally extending portions 12 and 14 at the sides thereof, the nortions 12 and 14 being formed from a single integral piece of wire.

Approximately at the middle of the decoy, but preferably slightly forward thereof, the portions 12 and 14 are provided with loops 16 which latter serve to receive a transverse wire frame member 20 therethrough.

The rearward ends of the portions 12 and 14 are each looped as at 22 about a second approximately horizontal- 1y disposed frame member 30.

The frame member 30 is disposed above the frame member 10 and those sections of the portions 12 and 14 which are disposed between the loops 16 and 22 extend at a slant upwardly to the frame member 30. The loops 22 are disposed a short distance forwardly of the rearwardmost or tail end of the decoy at which latter the frame member 30 has a loop 32 of large size interconnecting the side portions 34 and 36 of the frame member 30.

The side portions 34 and 36 of the wire frame member 30 are preferably of one integral piece of wire and the ends of the piece are joined together by a jointing sleeve 38 which latter is preferably disposed midway on one side 36 thereof.

The forward end of the member 30 is provided with a second loop 40 at the point at which the side portions 34 and 36 join together.

A ring 42 extends through the loop 40 and downwardly about the forward end of the horizontal frame member 10.

The loop 40 extends upwardly from the frame member 30 and is adapted to receive thereon the loops 48 of the forward ends of two longitudinally extending upper frame members 50.

The upper frame members 50 extend rearwardly to the tail end of the decoy and are secured by loops 52 pivotally to the loop 32. l

The longitudinal frame members 50 are of convex curvature as are the frame members 10 and 30. Just forwardly of a mid-point between the forward and rearward ends of the decoy each frame member 50 is provided with a downwardly bent portion 58 disposed forwardly of an upwardly bent portion 60 which latter is itself connected to the downwardly bent portion 62. The upwardly bent portion 60 is preferably not disposed above the uppermost portions of the adjacent sections of the longitudinally wire frame member 50.

The purpose of the bends 58, 60 and 62 is to cooperate with complementally bent portions of the transverse frame member 20. The latter has a downwardly bent portion 70 disposed outwardly from an upwardly bent portion 72 which latter is connected to a downwardly bent portion 74'. The downwardly bent portion 74 is connected to an upwardly bent portion 76 disposed next inwardly therefrom. 'The upwardly bent portion 76 is connected to a downwardly bent portion 78 disposed next inwardly therefrom. The downwardly bent portion 78 is connected to a relatively smooth portion 80, which latter extends inwardly to a downwardly bent portion 82, which latter is disposed in the transverse center of the upper back of the decoy- A repetition of the curvatures 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 is also found on the other side of the decoy on the opposite side of the center downwardly bent portion 82.

The transverse frame member is provided with an upper central or'connecting portion connecting two down- Wardly extending portions having upper parts 84 which extend from the bent portion 70 downwardly to loops 86. From the loops 86 intermediate parts 88 of the downwardly extending portions of the transverse frame member 20 extend downwardly to a horizontal portion 90 which latter extends outwardly and connects to legs or lowermost parts 92 of the downwardly extending portions of the transverse frame member 20. The lowermost parts or legs 92 extend vertically downwardly and are offset outwardly from the portions 88. As thus de scribed it will be seen that the two side portions of the member 20 which are on each side of the center depression or bend 82 are identical and for this reason similar parts are given identical numbers.

As best seen in Figure 1, when the transverse member 20 is in position in the notches 60, the upper longitudinal frame members 50 each become, in effect, the hypotenuse of rigid right triangles, the frame members 34 and 36 forming the bases, and the transverse member 20 being the third side. Thus, the upper longitudinal members 50 in reality become braces to hold the legs 92v firmly, and the notches 60 insure that the necessary stability and rigidity of the legs 92 will be maintained, when the de-' coys are placed in a position where they may be sub jectedto winds of high velocity.

The head of the decoy has a frame formed of a single piece of wire 100. The wire 100 has a portion 102 ex tending upwardly from a loop 104 at its lower end. The loop 104 is disposed about the loop for pivotal connection therewith. The portion 102 extends along the forward line of the neck of the goose upwardly and is bent forwardly as seen at 104' so as to form a forwardly and then rearwardly extending portion 106 simulating the outline of the bill of the goose.

At the rearward end of the upper portion of the bill portion 106, the head wire 100 curves upwardly sharply as seen at 108 then extends rearwardly and downwardly in a convex curve as seen at 110 joining a rear side portion 112 which latter extends downwardly to form the back side of the neck.

The lower end of the portion 112 is connected. to a curved portion 114 having a concave upper side and the latter isconnected to a rearwardly and somewhat upwardly extending portion 116, which latter extends backwardly to an upwardly bent portion 118, which is adapted to fit across the top of, and in the downwardly bentportion 82 of the transverse framemember 20a The. head. wire generally indicated at 100 extends in the portion a short distance rearwardly from the upwardly bent portion 118.

As thus described, it will be seen that a frame is provided capable of simulating the outline of a goose. The cover of the decoy is shown only partially in Figure 1 at 150. The cover extends across the frame members 50 and downwardly acrossthe frame members 30 and 10, being looped around the lower frame member 10 as best seen at 152 in Figure 1, stitching being provided as seen at 154 along the upper side of the looped hem 152, whereby the cover is fastened by the hem 152 to the lowermost frame member 10.

Rearwardly of the frame member 10 the cover is provided with other hem portions 158 which latter are stitched as shown at 160 about those portions of the frame member 30 which extend rearwardly from the loop 22.

In operation it will be seen that when the frame is in collapsed position as shown in Figure 2, all parts are disposed in substantially a horizontal plane. At such a time, the cover will rest loosely across the top of the frame.

When the hunter desires to set up the decoy, the transverse frame member 20 is raised and moved rearwardly at its upper side for pressing the longitudinally extending portions of the other frame members outwardly and upwardly until they reach their preferred position with the downwardly extending depressions or bends 74 of the transverse frame member 20 disposed in engagement with and interlocking with the upwardly extending bends 60 of the frame members 50.

When the frame members are in this interlocked position, the cover is taut because the cover is of a size and shape for being drawn taut when the frame is in this position. It is the tautness of the cloth covering that holds the flat head. portion in an erect and very rigid position.

When the hunter desires to set the decoy in place, the legs 92 are easily and quickly pushed into the mud or sand, the presence of two legs providing considerable needed stability in the wind.

When the hunter desires to remove the decoy, he can easily reach inside the open bottom thereof to pull the transverse frame member 20 forward, thereby collapsing the decoy into position shown in Figure 2.

As best seen in Figure 3, the cover 150 can be provided with a portion 160 under the neck of lighter color to simulate the appearance of a goose.

In Figure 4 a modified form of the transverse frame member is shown, the modified form being given the number 84' to signify its similarity in most respects to the frame member 84.. The member 84" differs in only one respect to the member 84 in Figure 1. This respect is in that the member 84" has an inwardly bent portion 85 forming a recess on its outer side in substitution for the several bends of the member 84. This single bend has the advantage over the curvatures 70, 72, 74,v 76 and 78 of the frame member 84 in that it is simpler and eliminates an undesirable bump on the back of the decoy. It will be understood that another bend' 85' would appear on the opposite side of the member 84" in the same way that the curvatures, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 are repeated on the right as well as the left hand side.

The frame member 84' has a center depression 82' similar to the depression 82 in the center of the frame member 84.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a goose decoy constructed. in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and. for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

I claim:

1. A decoy having a portion for simulating the head of a goose and having a body portion in the shape of the upper portion of a body of a goose, the bottom of said body portion being open, said body portion comprising an outer cover and a frame attached to said outer cover and disposed on the inner side thereof, said frame being composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending members, said frame members being vertically spaced apart and being attached together in a manner for collapsing from the shape of said body into a shape much more flat and a transverse frame member having two downwardly extending portions disposed one on each side of the decoy and having an upper center connecting portion in terconnecting said two downwardly extending portions, said transverse frame member being pivot-ally attached to the lowermost ones of said longitudinal frame members on the right and left hand sides of said body, said transverse frame member being adapted to be pivoted upwardly into a substantially vertical position and in the vertical position pressing outwardly against the inner sides of said longitudinal frame members for holding them outwardly in the contour of a body of a goose, the center and upper portion of said transverse frame member being adapted to be pivoted forwardly and downwardly toward the lowermost ones of said longitudinal frame members to collapse the frame members whereby the decoy is much more flat than when in use.

2. A decoy having a body portion in the shape of the upper portion of the body of a goose, said body portion being formed of an inner frame and a flexible and collapsible outer cover attached to and extending tightly over said frame when said frame is in a later described use position, said inner frame comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending frame members connected together at the forward and rearward ends of the body, said longitudinal frame members being of a generally convex curved shape on their outer sides for simulating the shape of a goose, a first two of said longitudinal frame members being disposed in planes approximately horizontal and being disposed on opposite sides of said body and being rigidly attached together at their forward and rearward ends, and a second two of said longitudinal frame members being disposed above said first two frame members and being pivotally secured to said first two approximately horizontal frame members at the forward and rearward ends of the latter in a manner permitting the upward and the downward pivoting of said second two longitudinal frame members from positions in upwardly extending planes downwardly and to respective sides whereby said second two upper frame members are adapted to lie substantially in a horizontal plane above said first two frame members when the frame is collapsed, and a transverse frame member adapted to be disposed in use position in substantially a vertical plane transversely of said longitudinal members, said transverse frame member being of approximately an inverted U- shape and having a central section and downwardly extending side portions, means pivotally securing said downwardly extending side portions to said approximately horizontally disposed lowermost of the frame members respectively at the right and left hand sides of the body respectively, and the central section of said transverse frame member engaging against the inner sides of said second two longitudinal frame members and pressing outwardly against said second two longitudinal frame members when said transverse member is in a substantially upright use position, the pivotal connection between said transverse frame member and said longitudinal frame members being such as to permit the forward and downward folding of said transverse frame member substantially into a horizontal plane above said first frame members for storage, and said decoy having a head and neck frame portion, and means connecting a forward lower part of said head and neck frame portion pivotally to the forward ends of said first two longitudinal frame portions and a rearward lower end of said head and neck frame portion being disposed against and upheld by the upper side-of said transverse member when all parts are in use position, said head and neck frame portion folding downwardly and also backwardly into a position lying substantially horizontally and above positions of respective ones of said first and second longitudinal frame members, said cover having a head portion adapted to receive said head frame portion therein.

3. The decoy described in claim 2 in which said inverted U-shaped transverse member is provided with two attached downwardly extending legs attached to its downwardly extending side portions and which are adapted to be inserted into the ground so as to support the decoy in upright position.

4. The construction defined in claim 2 in which said second two of said longitudinal members are provided with inwardly extending offset portions generally midway between the forward and rearward ends of the said body, and in which said transverse member has downwardly ofiset portions adapted to receive and engage against said upwardly bent portions of said longitudinal members whereby said engaging offset portions of said transverse frame member and said longitudinal frame members tend to hold said transverse frame member in its use position disposed transversely of said longitudinal frame members for holding said longitudinal frame members outwardly in use position.

5. The construction defined in claim 2 in which said head portion is of a two dimensional shape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ross Oct. 1, 1895 

